Besut Counting On Amateur Radio, Walkie-Talkies To Help Flood Rescue Ops In Interior

JERTIH, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Besut District Disaster Action Council will be counting on amateur radio services, besides walkie-talkies, to launch communication during floods, especially in the district's interior areas.

Besut police chief Supt Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said cooperation would be established with the Besut Main Amateur Radio Club (Bestrac) which is ready to channel expertise and radio equipment.

"Amateur radio is especially crucial to overcome communication coverage disruptions during the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season, especially in the Hulu Besut area.

"It will be used to assist authorities and related agencies to transmit emergency calls such as for ill residents or roads that have been cut off since amateur radio equipment can last three to four days even if the electricity is cut," he said after the Flood Boat Handling and Rescue Programme held at the Darau Agro Recreation Park in Hulu Besut today.

Azamuddin said wireless amateur radio also helps rescue teams to contact victims in flood-hit zones using a designated frequency band to enable swift rescue operations.

He said a total of 75 community representatives have been briefed and trained, including some who are provided with walkie-talkies which have a radius for miles, to face the floods expected to hit early next month.

In addition, he said 25 fibreglass boats have been readied for this district while a total of 509 personnel from various agencies will be deployed throughout the MTL.

" Seven flood hotspots in the district have been identified, including Felda Tenang, Kampung Keruak and Kampung La. Residents will be urged to evacuate early to avoid being stranded," he also said.

-- BERNAMA